Philip Wheeler now leader of Oakland Raiders defense

Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Philip Wheeler (52), Miles Burris (56) and Michael Huff (24) sit on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

ALAMEDA -- The green sticker affixed to the helmet of Philip Wheeler made official what has become apparent almost since the day he arrived as a free agent.

He has become the leader of the Raiders defense because of both his passion and playmaking ability.

When the Raiders decided to move rookie fourth-round pick Miles Burris into the nickel defense in place of Rolando McClain, the responsibility for wearing the wired helmet (designated by a green sticker) to relay instructions from the coaching staff fell to Wheeler.

"It gives me a lot of responsibilities, and it makes me work harder," Wheeler said. "It's forced me to get in the film room more, so I can make better calls and do what's right for the defense, and I'm up to the job."

Wheeler, who spent four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts before joining the Raiders this year, had play-calling responsibilities at Georgia Tech but hadn't done it in the NFL until Sunday's game at Atlanta.

"He's a guy who takes his job seriously, and he understands that is now something he has to do," coach Dennis Allen said. "He has worked extremely hard at it."

According to stats compiled by the coaching staff, Wheeler is the team's second-leading tackler behind safety Tyvon Branch with 58 stops. He's also got two passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Although Wheeler doesn't have a sack, he's been an effective blitzer -- as evidenced by his hit on Matt Ryan that led to a wounded duck interception by Branch, the Raiders' third interception against the Falcons. Stats LLC credits Wheeler with seven quarterback hits.

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Wheeler credited McClain for playing well in his new role, and shared a laugh with an exhausted Burris after the Falcons game. Both played every snap against Atlanta, which is the norm for Wheeler but something new for Burris.

"He did pretty good. I was pretty proud of him, stepping in there, playing all of the snaps" Wheeler said. "After the game, he told me, 'So this is what your body feels like after the game.' I said, 'You've got to recuperate, sit down when you get a chance, get off your feet and come back at it next week.' "

Wheeler was generally pleased with how the Raiders defense played in the 23-20 loss to the Falcons, especially in contrast to road losses in Miami and Denver.

"We held them to one touchdown on offense and I feel like we did a decent job," Wheeler said. "We did better, and that's our standard now. We've got to play like that or better."

The Raiders announced that Sunday's game will be televised locally a day after receiving a one-day extension to sell more tickets.

The Jacksonville game will be the 11th consecutive regular-season home game to be on local television.

Running back Taiwan Jones (knee) was limited in practice, is listed as questionable, and Allen said he will be a game-time decision. Tackle Khalif Barnes (groin), cornerback Shawntae Spencer (foot) and tight end Richard Gordon (hamstring) are out.

Linebacker Daryl Smith (groin) and safety Dwight Lowery (ankle) are out for Jacksonville, along with wide receiver Laurent Robinson (concussion).

Allen said the final series of the Atlanta game had only two plays with a three-man rush. He accepted responsibility for not being "tighter and a little bit more aggressive" on the last play, a 13-yard pass to Tony Gonzalez that set up Matt Bryant's 55-yard, game-winning field goal.

On the topic of late-game strategy, defensive coordinator Jason Tarver said, "If you blitz and they make a play, why'd you blitz? If you drop everybody but one, and they make a play, why did you do that? ... It comes down to execution."

Allen said he has never been in a meeting room where the term "prevent" defense was used.

The Raiders will enjoy their first home game of the season without the infield dirt, which has been replaced by grass since the end of the A's season.